Tag Archives: number

Robocopy or Xcopy Which One to Use?

These two command line file copy utilities seem to provide the same functions. However don’t be deceived by the number of options xcopy provides. It is just a as it is a poor relative of the more robust, featured,
When to Use Xcopy and When to use Robocopy?
If you need advanced features such as backing-up, type of copy and you want 100% reliability of the copy process then Robocopy (robust copy) is your choice. If on the other hand, you don’t have a complex copy job Xcopy will do it. Xcopy is part of the operating system, it comes with Windows, whereas robocopy needs to be copied from another system, or you need to install the Resource Kit. To put it more simple, xcopy is always available as the shell command “copy”.

Features of Xcopy and Robocopy

Why not use the shell command copy then, is the next question. Because “copy” is just too minimal and cannot accomplish what the other two can. It only copies files and not directories with the afferent directory structure. It cannot copy attributes and ACLs.
In contrast, the other two file copy utilities are featured in such way that they can be easily used as backup systems if the correct options are setup. In conjunction with the scheduler and using a batch script this can be a powerful backup solution that is both inexpensive and flexible.
The features of Xcopy and Robocopy are: selective attributes replication, ACLs can be maintained or not for the files copied, ownership can be copied or not, folder structure replication, fully automation, archive attribute support – which makes it a real backup utility, file exclusion option, verification of the copied files, performance tuning.

What are the differences between Xcopy and Robocopy?

If we were to sum up we could say that Robocopy is way more powerful than Xcopy. But of course you might ask me for arguments to support my statement, here they are:
The most annoying thing about Xcopy is that you can’t use the network restartable mode if you copy ACls. Isn’t this annoying? For me this was enough of a reason to install the Resource Kit and get the Robocopy immediately. But wait, the list doesn’t stop here.

Robocopy as a Backup Software

Why is Robocopy worth writing about? Robocopy is a great software that can be used as a backup utility. Its features makes it fit for maintaining automated file backup using various approaches. It can be used for directory mirroring, for archiving files, for moving files, etc…
It can be used to copy only new or changed files, it can use the archive bit, as any good backup software would.
If the target directory is enabled for compression, it can save space as well.
Another application of Robocopy is during migrations or server upgrades. Because sometimes migrations or server changes are time sensitive, we need to copy as much as possible before switching to the new server. This where Robocopy comes in handy. You start the mirroring ahead of time, so all the files are copied. When the time of switching is close there are only minor changes to be done so the operation is very fast. The key options for this applications are: robocopy /MIR to mirror the directory, robocopy /MON:n to MONitor the source and run again when more than n changes occur and robocopy /MOT:m to MOnitor source and run again in m minutes Time, if changed.
Another neat application is to archive files that haven’t been used in a given period.
This command moves files that haven’t been used in 500 days, in restartable mode, copying the attributes, the file’s owner, and the ACL, excluding older files.robocopy C:\FILES \\SERVER\FILES-ARCHIVE /e /zb /r:0 /w:1 /copy:daso /xo /move /MINLAD:500

Other Cheap Backup Utilities

Another cheap, (free), utility is xxcopy.
The utility competes with Robocopy, has versions for both 32 bit and 64 bit OS, and has more command switches.
However, this isn’t a free program for businesses, it is free for for personal use though.

First Published: September 1, 2011 Last Updated: October 25, 2011Dorian2 Comments

The ICANN, (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), board has decided in June 2011 to expand the number of generic top level domain names.

The existent 22 gTLDs that include popular TLDs such as .com, .net, .org, etc… will become limited by only the dictionary, or maybe not even that. ICANN decided to allow any word to become a gTLD, that means that domains such as .microsoft or .google or .pepsi will populate the Internet.

The applications for the new gTLDs will start from 12 January 2012 and end on 12 April 2012. Corporations, cities will most likely be among the first to apply for the new gTLDs.
The new gTLDs will not be cheap, a new gTLD will cost 185,000$, a cost that will make it unaffordable for small companies. There are more obstacles that makes it difficult to buy a gTLD. The very high required standards for the applicant’s IT infrastructure and Legal protection will make it impossible for small and medium companies to get their own gTLD.

To get one of the new gTLDs the applicant has to prove Trademark ownership for the requested domain.
The expansion of the gTLDs means a new era in communication but this will change very little, for most of the domain names owners, at least in the initial phase. ICANN expects to increase the number of gTLDs to hundreds of them. This is very little, but it’s a start.

Whether you are a seasoned blogger or a beginner one of the best options for your blog is WordPress. WordPress is very popular because of its great flexibility, capacity to adapt to an ever-changing Internet environment, great features, and effortless administration. WordPress was voted many times the best Content Management system in a competition with other renowned CMS.

As a beginner you can start with a free solution, and the WordPress community offers a great platform on their servers, free. On WordPress.com anyone can have their own blog and share their posts on a variety of topics, and interact with other bloggers. This is one of the most popular ways to start your blog. However, advanced bloggers, journalists or commercial blogs need more complex options.

Why Do You Need a Hosted WordPress?

Popular blogs, or business related blogs, need to accommodate larger numbers of visitors without any traffic limitations.
Here are just a few reasons why any rapidly expanding site should consider WordPress hosting.

The free WordPress platform will only give you a limited number of functions and plugins.
Other technical aspects of your blog are not accessible with a free solution. Some of these include: php.ini and .htaccess control, multiple databases, for other PHP scripts, the storage is limited, you have a limited choice of plugins, little control over the theme, etc…
One of the great benefits of using a WordPress web host is the customer service and support. We always do things that we can’t fix on the spot no matter how experienced we are. Using the help of a professional support team ensures that the site will be up in the shortest possible time if something bad happens. For an organization or business that operates online, it is critical that their website is up as soon as possible. It is at stake the company’s reputation, and the money lost during the interruption.
Maybe one of the greatest things with a hosted WordPress is the huge range of plug-ins and add-ons available. These plug-ins add features that can vastly improve the appearance and functionality of your site and ultimately your visitors’ experience.

If you are thinking moving your blog to a commercial service, don’t delay it, the costs of a professional WordPress web host are small compared to the advantages.

How to Choose a WordPress Hosting Company?

Ok, you decided you need a hosting company for your WordPress blog. There are a lot of companies on the market. How do you choose your host?
The services look very similar at first sight, and in most of the cases they are. You need to look for the package which is best able to cater for your requirements.
Define your requirements first and then make your list with companies that fit the requirements.
Compare the finalists on your list based on your personal requirements, customer service and support, Up-time, reputation, and price.